Getting started

In the days right after your bariatric surgery, you’ll need to be very careful about what you consume. To stay on track for a good recovery, here is what you’ll need to do:

Dietary guidelines

Remember that when you get home, you will be following a liquid diet. If you had lap band surgery, you will follow it for two weeks. If you had gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, you will follow it for one week.

Our team will advise you on the type of protein drink that will make up the most important part of your diet. Drinking these should be your first priority, followed by water, skim or 1% milk, chicken broth, decaf tea, and sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages like Crystal Light and Wyler’s Light. Sip on these things over the course of the day, with a goal of four ounces of fluid per hour. Remember to sip slowly. Don’t gulp, and don’t sip with a straw.

Taking your medications
Regardless of whether you had lap band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve surgery, you can take crushed medications with unsweetened applesauce, sugar-free pudding, or low-fat/low-sugar vanilla yogurt, like Dannon Light & Fit. Do not mix medications in milk or in a protein shake.

Vitamins and minerals
Anyone having bariatric surgery will need to take vitamins after surgery. But there are differences in how to take them depending on the procedure you had:

Lap band patients
Your vitamins must be chewable for one month following surgery. When you arrive home, here’s what you should take:

A chewable multivitamin, two times a day. This can be an adult or children’s version. If you are still menstruating, your multivitamin should include iron.

A chewable 600 mg calcium + vitamin D, two times a day. Make sure you separate your calcium from your multivitamin with iron by two or more hours.

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients
Your vitamins must be chewable for three months following surgery. When you arrive home, here’s what you should take:

A chewable multivitamin, two times a day. This can be an adult or children’s version. Regardless of your gender or age, it must have at least 18 mg of iron in it.

In the days right after your bariatric surgery, you’ll need to be very careful about what you consume. To stay on track for a good recovery, here is what you’ll need to do:

Dietary guidelines
Remember that when you get home, you will be following a liquid diet. If you had lap band surgery, you will follow it for two weeks. If you had gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, you will follow it for one week.

Our team will advise you on the type of protein drink that will make up the most important part of your diet. Drinking these should be your first priority, followed by water, skim or 1% milk, chicken broth, decaf tea, and sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages like Crystal Light and Wyler’s Light. Sip on these things over the course of the day, with the goal of four ounces of fluid per hour. Remember to sip slowly. Don’t gulp, and don’t sip with a straw.

Taking your medications
Regardless of whether you had lap band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve surgery, you can take crushed medications with unsweetened applesauce, sugar-free pudding, or low-fat/low-sugar vanilla yogurt, like Dannon Light & Fit. Do not mix medications in milk or protein shakes.

Vitamins and minerals
Anyone having bariatric surgery will need to take vitamins after surgery. But there are differences in how to take them depending on the procedure you had:

Lap band patients

Your vitamins must be chewable for one month following surgery. When you arrive home, here’s what you should take:

A chewable multivitamin, two times a day. This can be an adult or children’s version. If you are still menstruating, your multivitamin should include iron.

A chewable 600 mg calcium + vitamin D, two times a day. Make sure you separate your calcium from your multivitamin with iron by two or more hours.​

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients

Your vitamins must be chewable for three months following surgery. When you arrive home, here’s what you should take:

A chewable multivitamin, two times a day. This can be an adult or children’s version. Regardless of your gender or age, it must have at least 18 mg of iron in it.

A chewable 600 mg calcium + vitamin D, two times a day. Make sure you separate your calcium from your multivitamin with iron by two or more hours.

A sublingual (under the tongue) 350-500 mcg vitamin B12, once a day.

A chewable 600 mg calcium + vitamin D, two times a day. Make sure you separate your calcium from your multivitamin with iron by two or more hours.

A sublingual (under the tongue) 350-500 mcg vitamin B12, once a day.

Steps to surgery

Attend an information seminar
Staten Island University Hospital offers bariatric surgery information seminars twice a month. A bariatric surgeon will discuss in detail the weight loss procedures we offer. You’ll learn the risks and benefits of each procedure and have an opportunity to ask questions. You will also meet some members of our team and will receive an application.

Submit an application
You’ll give us some basic information about you and your health. Things we’ll ask for include:
We’ll review your application to see if you meet the basic eligibility criteria for bariatric surgery. If you do, you’ll be contacted to make an appointment to attend one of our education sessions.

Name and contact information

Current height and weight

Medical and surgical history

Diet history

Current medications

At an education session we will:

Measure your height, weight, blood pressure and BMI

Give you written materials and a program booklet

Discuss the main principles of surgical weight loss

Discuss the procedures we offer, including the advantages and disadvantages of each

Explain the preoperative requirements, including necessary consultations and laboratory evaluations

Describe the post surgery follow-up program

This is a group session led by one of our nurse practitioners and a nutritionist. They will:

Consult with a surgeon

You will meet with a surgeon to discuss your procedure. He/she will also review your medical history and conduct a physical examination. You must bring a support person with you (who is over the age of 18) to this consultation.

Receive a nutrition evaluation

You will meet with our nutritionist for a one-on-one consultation. You’ll discuss your current nutritional status and dietary patterns, and learn about your recommended diet after surgery.

Undergo preoperative evaluations and attend support group meetings

Before you are deemed eligible for bariatric surgery, you will undergo a thorough evaluation process, including: You must also attend at least two support group meetings prior to surgery. Other evaluations may be required if your medical history or results from the initial testing indicate they are necessary.

Psychological evaluation

Blood screening

Gastrointestinal evaluation, including upper endoscopy with biopsy for H. pylori

Pulmonary evaluation which may include a sleep study to test for obstructive sleep apnea

Cardiac evaluation which may include an EKG, an echocardiogram, and/or a stress test

Abdominal ultrasound to evaluate for gallbladder disease and liver size

Nicotine screening (if applicable)

Get insurance authorization

Once you have met with your surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist, have had your blood work screening completed, and have met insurance requirements, we will contact your insurance plan for authorization.

Attend a preoperative consultation

If you are eligible for surgery, you will meet with your surgeon, nurse practitioner and nutritionist before your procedure is scheduled. You will review the procedure, including the risks and benefits, and sign a consent form. You’ll also receive prescriptions for medications you’ll need after surgery, as well as requisitions for any necessary post-operative testing.

Attend a preoperative class

Once you’ve been scheduled for surgery you will take a preoperative class. It will focus on what to expect while you are in the hospital including how long you’ll be there, pain control, how soon you can resume activities, diet, and planning to go home. You’ll also take a tour of the surgical floor.

Complete pre-admission surgical testing

Just prior to surgery, you will undergo routine blood screening, urinalysis, chest X-ray, and EKG. You will also receive a brief physical examination.

Have surgery

The surgery will take between one and three hours depending on the procedure. Your expected hospital stay will be between 24 and 48 hours.

Schedule follow-up visits

After surgery, in addition to periodic blood screening, you will meet with your surgical team regularly:

Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients

1st visit – 7 to 10 days following surgery

2nd visit – 1 month following surgery

3rd visit – 3 months following surgery

Every three months for remainder of the first year

Every six months the second year

Annual follow-up thereafter

Lap band patients

1st visit – 7 to 10 days following surgery

2nd visit – 3 weeks following surgery

Every 6 weeks for the first year

Every three months the second year

Every six months the third year

Annual follow-up thereafter

Make an appointment

Call (866) 285-8444 to make an appointment with a bariatric surgery expert.

Our representatives are available to schedule your appointment on weekdays from 8am to 8pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm You may also leave a voicemail message after regular business hours, and we will return your call.